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Merry Christmas .................4 Secret Santa .....................48
Theo Walcott .......................6 My Weirdest Present .....52

A WEEK
Ballon d’Or Battle...............8 Did You Know? .................62
Nathaniel Clyne ...............10
Erik Lamela ........................12 POSTERS
WITH A MATCHY Cartoon.............13 Philippe Coutinho............39
Footy Mis-Match..............18 Eden Hazard ......................47

MATCH! Win An Apple Watch ......34 Harry Kane.........................53

Xmas Quizzes .......36 & 58
SUBSCRIPTION! Win Epic Prizes.....38 & 54

MATCH! – THE NO.1

Visit www.greatmagazines.co.uk/match MAG FOR FOOTY!
MATCH! 3
 ONE,
I CAN’T TWO,
WAIT ANY THREE...
LONGER! PULL!

PALACE
PARTY!
The Eagles had
to queue up for
their presents…

I WANTED
TO BE THE
RED ONE!
...and they all got
fancy dress costumes! WHO’S
HUNGRY?
There was chaos
at City’s Xmas
dinner table!
GUTTED,
MATE!

SILENT
NIGHT,
HOLY
NIGHT!

YOU’RE
HURTING
MY EARS,
MESUT! WHERE
ARE MY EAR
MUFFS?

GUNNERS’ CHILLY
XMAS CAROLS! HAMMERS!
Arsenal’s main men are heading Randolph and Adrian
out for some carol singing! are all wrapped up
You can get your own Arsenal Christmas jumper at ArsenalDirect.com – 20% of ready for winter!
the full retail price from each jumper will be donated to the Arsenal Foundation.
 THE
BIG GUY
CAN’T DO IT
ALL ON HIS
OWN!

WHO
ATE ALL
THE PIGS IN
BLANKETS?

ELF-ATIMBI
GOMIS!
Bafetimbi is
one of Santa’s
little helpers!

JUST
YOU’RE BRING IT,
GOING LEO!
DOWN,
KUN!

FESTIVE FIFA!
me, lads!

CH

XMAS TOFFEES!
Everton’s stars can’t wait for
the ‘You’ve Been Framed’
Xmas Special!
SAY
CHEESE,
KEV!

THIS
CHRISTMAS
IS SO LOL,
MACCA! CORK-ER!
Jack’s well pumped
for Christmas Day!
The official Everton Christmas jumper is on
sale now. Turn to page 45 for more details.
 CO T T ’S
WA L

E O WA LCO T T tells
l machine T H
A R SE N AL go a
ough of Ch ristmas!
CH w hy he can’t get en
MAT

Arsenal’s Xmas party!

: I think we will have a joint
party with the team and staff. We might
go for karaoke and bowling this year – just
have some fun with Christmas tunes and
dancing! We wore our Christmas jumpers
last year, so we might wear them again!”

Secret San
HEO S S: “I woul
ck Aaron Ramsey,
y him his
sed hairdry
he’s alwa
g his hair i
he mirror!”

Last-minute shopping!
HEO S S: “I never do any last-minute
shopping because I’m really organised,
so I finished my Christmas shopping early.
All I need to do now is the wrapping!”

6 MATCH!
THEO SAYS: “Kieran Gibbs gets the
most excited about Christmas out of
everyone at Arsenal. He has a lot of
young nephews, nieces and cousins,
so he gets really excited for them.”
Festive plans!
THEO SAYS: “I’ve spent
the last few Christmases
with my brother and Mel’s
family, but this year it’s
just me, Mel and Finlay
so it will be nice. We have
a game the next day so
we’ll have a chilled day.”

Xmas dinner! Treating yourself!

THEO SAYS: “My
favourite part of THEO SAYS: “I don’t normally give
Christmas dinner myself treats around Christmas,
is pigs in blankets, but I like to have a bit of Christmas
always! I don’t cook, pudding – it’s all part of the day!”
but I do the washing
up afterwards!”

Boxing Day footy!

THEO SAYS: “I really enjoy it!
There are always so many children
in the crowd and it’s something
that’s different to other countries
that have a winter break. People
love going to football around
Christmas – sometimes it’s as a
gift and they might not get the
opportunity to go again – so it’s
great to be involved in that.”

Junior Gunners get exclusive content on Arsenal Player!

You can get your own
P JG v Players – Junior Gunners take on players in fun challenges! Arsenal Xmas jumper
P JG Challenges – See Arsenal megastars go head-to-head! at ArsenalDirect.com
– 20% of the full retail
P JG Interview – You get to ask your heroes questions!
price from each jumper
P Gunner v Players – Gunnersaurus challenges players! will be donated to the
Arsenal Foundation.
Sign up as a JG at www.arsenal.com/juniorgunners

MATCH! 7
MASSIVE STARS!

BALLON D'OR
Messi
n t he
has wo 'Or
d
B al lo n ou r
r f
d
a r e co I'VE GOT
W hat
times! THIS ONE,
e!
a ledg GUYS!
GIVE ME
BACK MY
TROPHY!

MESSI EYMAR
✔ Treble winner
with Barcelona
last season!
✔ Led Argentina
to the final of the
Copa America!
✔ Over 60 goals
and assists in all
comps in 2015!
✗ Hasn’t played
much this season
because of injury!

UEFA’S PIPE
ULTIMATE DOW
LINE-UP! EDEN
The UEFA Team Of The
Year shortlist is out, too! Chelsea s
Check out this megastar Eden Hazard posted
line-up of players that a video of himself
have appeared in the singing on Instagram
team most often over recently! Don’t quit
the years. What an XI! your day job, mate!

8 MATCH!
BATTLE!
One of these footy legends
will be officially crowned the
best player on the planet
when FIFA announce their
2015 Ballon d'Or winner next
month! But who will it be?

Ronaldo
Neymar THREE has finished
would be the YEARS
IN A ROW runner-up to
first Brazilian
FOR RON! Messi three
to win the B
allon times for the
d 'Or since Kak
a trophy!
in 2007!

YOU
DE CIDE!
W ho d
o
deserv you think
e
Tell us s to win?
by pos
on our ti
Facebo ng
p age n ok
ow !

ONALDO
✔ Fired Barça to the ✔ Top goalscorer in
top of La Liga when La Liga last season
Messi was injured! with 48 strikes!
✔ Joint-top scorer ✔ Broke Real
in last season's Madrid's all-time
Champo League! scoring record!
✔ La Liga top scorer ✔ Bagged his
after 13 games! 500th career goal
✗ Messi and Ron in September!
have won the last ✗ The footy legend
seven Ballon d'Ors hasn't won a major
between them! trophy this year!

POTM GOTM
BOURNEMOUTH
v Everton 23%
ʎ

ʎ
SMITH

November November
Bournemouth 48%
AYEW SWANSEA v
  Ǐ
VARDY Leicester

Jamie Vardy Andre Ayew’s

Ǐ

v LIVERPOOL 30%
SKRTEL Man. City
 

 


has won his class backheel


OZIL Arsenal
43%

Liverpool 23%

 

second Player finish against

COUTINHO

Ǐ

Of The Month Bournemouth

28%

award in a row was voted as

ր

after you voted MATCH's Goal

him November's Of The Month
top Prem star! for November!

MATCH! 9
YOUR MAS QUES
NSWERE

CLYNE!
LIVERPOOL and
ENGLAND defender
snow?
From William Moran

: Yeah, I like it
What s the best
Christmas present
you’ve ever had?
From Phil lip Jack son

tackles questions – I always go out in the snow

and play. Seeing people fall
I haven’t had
a good Christmas prese
nt in
from the MATCH and slip over is pretty fun!” ages! Probably a PlayS
tation
– I was 12 when I got my
readers! one. I’m pretty good at
first
FIFA!”

What’s playing football How do you celebrate

at Christmas like? Christmas with your
From Will Rob erts team-mates?
Fro m Ca llum Mc Do nne ll
“It was definitely
strange at first, but I’m CLYNE
used
to it now. I’ve been pla Secret Santa where we all
ying
professional football for pull players’ names out of a
some
time, so I’m used to tra hat and then buy them a gift.
ining
on Christmas Day and At Palace, we always used to
playing
matches on Boxing Da go out for a Christmas party,
y!”
but I don’t think we’ll be
doing that at Liverpool!”
10 MATCH!
 Do you wish yo
pig out on Xmau could
s Day?
From Ja m ie Go ds el l

when all yo Yeah, it s h

ur family ge ard
a good dinn t su
er! I get jea ch
when I see lou
my other fa s
members e mily
ati
and enjoyin ng so much
g the evenin
g!”

How does tifraining at

fer to the
Christmas de season?
rest of th an s Ev
From H arry

CLYNE S
of the players
because most es,
ith their famili
want to be w I do n’ t
to train.
but they have , be ca us e
ough
really mind th
play in g fo otball. There’s
I love got
es, so you’ve
so many gam an d fi t! ”
strong
to be mentally

What would you like for

Christmas this year?
From Anth ony Pengelly

Three points
on Boxing Day and a go
al! My
mum always gives me
socks
and boxers, so that’ll pro
bably
be what I get this year!
”

Nathaniel Clyne was supporting the biggest

grassroots football tournament in the country – the
English Schools’ FA PlayStation Schools’ Cup. Since
its launch, over 150,000 players have been involved.
For more info, visit www.playstationschoolscup.com

MATCH! 11
XMAS CHAT!

ERIK L A MEL A’
CHRIST MATCH chats to S P U R
u
S
p
s
to
ta r
th
ER
is
IK LAMELA
Christmas!
e’ll b e
about what h

CHRISTMAS
IN ENGLAND!
ERIK SAYS: “It’s a lot colder here
and I think people celebrate it more
in England. Living here means I play
during Christmas, but I didn’t when
I was in Italy and Argentina.”

TRAINING ON
CHRISTMAS DAY!
ERIK SAYS: “It’s very different
to Argentina, where the weather is
much hotter – my family and I tend
to spend it relaxing by the pool.
This year I’ll be training in the cold!”

SPURS’ CHRISTMAS
TRADITIONS!
ERIK SAYS: “We have Christmas
lunch together at the club with all
the coaches and players. We might HIS BEST
watch some Christmas TV and enjoy
the snow, too – if it happens!”
CHRISTMAS EVER!
ERIK SAYS: “When I was young,
I remember being in Italy one year
and I got so many presents – that
was probably my best Christmas!
I’ve had lots of great presents, but
HIS CHRISTMAS don’t really have one in particular!”
PLANS!
ERIK SAYS: “I’ll train in the morning,
then in the afternoon my family are
coming over from Argentina – my
Erik’s wearing this year’s Tottenham Christmas
parents and girlfriend will be there. jumper. Prices range from £20-£30, available
It’s my dog’s first Christmas, too!” to buy online at shop.tottenhamhotspur.com

12 MATCH!
 you love taking on your mates at FI
s much as we do, then you have to
check this out! MATCH has come up
with ten ways of making your FIFA
head-to-heads a bit different!

1 2

STEP 1 STEP 3
Choose a club to turn Then go head-to-head
into your very own with your awesome dream
If you love possession dream team, then go teams! You can undo all the
footy, then try playing to Edit Teams in the changes afterwards by
like the La Liga giants! Customise tab and hitting Restore Default
The rules are simple select Club Transfers! Squads in Club Transfers!
– you can’t score until
you’ve completed ten STEP 2
passes! Keep count Take it in turns to transfer
as you knock the ball any players you want to
around, but if you give your chosen club using the
it away you have to search button, until you
start again from zero! both have a squad of 16.

14 MATCH!
3
This will test your long-range shooting
skills – you can’t score from inside the
penalty box! When you’re lining up
a shot, make sure you stay out of
the area, and if you are awarded a
penalty you’ll just have to miss it!

4 STEP 1
Pick your teams, and toss a coin
to decide who’ll be defending
and who’ll be attacking.
STEP 2
When the game starts, use the
D-pad to change your team’s
approach. Defensive team – hit
the left button to ‘Park The Bus’,
and for the attacking team, press
right to go ‘All-Out Attack’ – you
can’t change during the game!
STEP 3
Now take it in turns to play
as the defensive and attacking
teams – the first to five wins is
the champion. Go! Go! Go!

5
The rules are simple
– as soon as the other
team enter your half HOW
DOES
of the pitch, you have FATHER
to bring your keeper CHRISTMAS
PLAY FIFA 16?
out by holding the ON A SLEIGH-
sprint button and STATION!
pressing Y/Triangle.
You can’t stop holding
Y/Triangle until the ball
leaves your half or your
team wins the ball back!
The scoreline will end
up in double figures!
6 STEP 1
When choosing teams, each player
is allowed to press random five
times to select the league.
STEP 2
After each random pick, you can
choose to stick with that league,
or gamble by hitting it again
– but only up to five times!
STEP 3
Once you’ve got your league,
use the same process again
to choose your club. You could
end up with a real mis-match!

7
The clue is in the name – you can only
score with a header or a volley! Whip
crosses in, chip the ball up for your
team-mates or set yourself up with
a trick to bag your goals! Our FIFA 16
Calendar tips can help you with this!

8 There are loads of epic skill games

on FIFA 16! Choose from one of the
categories – Basics, Passing, Dribbling,
Defending or Shooting – and take it in
turns to have a go at each challenge.
Keep a tally of how many points you
score and see who can get the most!
9
In this rule, you can’t play more
than three passes! After your
third pass, you have to dribble
the rest of the way, shoot or
give it back to the other team!

10 STEP 1
First, each player has to
pick a one-star team!
STEP 2
Whoever wins the first match
then moves on to a two-star
team for the next match,
while the loser stays on one!
STEP 3
When a player gets to five-
stars, they go back down the
stars again! The first person to
get back down to a one-star
team and win is the champ!

Send us your teams, questions and videos by

email, Facebook or Twitter. We’ll include as WHO HIDES
many posts as we can, and your name could IN A BAKERY
AT CHRISTMAS?
appear in a future issue of the ma azine! A MINCE SPY!

Email: Facebook: Twitter:

match.magazine@ www.facebook.com www.twitter.com
bauermedia.co.uk /matchmagazine /matchmagazine
 Spot the ten
differences
between these
festive pics!

1 6
2 7
3 8
4 9
5 10
ANSWERS
PAGE 60!
MATCH ANNUAL 2016

PICK YOUR DREAM XI!

FOOTY SUPERHEROES!

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7 STARS UNCOVERED!
 I'M A
FIRST-CLASS
FINISHER!

MY
FIRST
TOUCH IS
SWEET!

Jamie CHRISTMAS CARD-y

Leicester
Harry
CANDY CA

MY GOALS
ARE ALWAYS
CRACKERS!

THIS
TASTES
HORRIBLE,
MATCH!

Philippe
Coutin-HO-HO-HO
Liverpool
Georginio
MULLED WINE-naldum
Newcastle
I ALWAYS
DELIVER!

GOBBLE,
GOBBLE,
GOBBLE!
Kurt SATSUMA
Mamadou Chelsea
SACK-ho TURKEY Sung-yueng
Liverpool Swansea

MY
SACK'S
FULL OF
TRICKS!

ATCH reckons
these heroes
will be great
this Xmas!
SANTA
Cazorla
Arsenal

I MAKE
MINCEMEAT OF
DEFENDERS!

WHY
DIDN'T THE
SKELETON GO TO
THE XMAS PARTY?
HE HAD NO BODY
TO GO WITH!

Memphis De-
MINCE PIE
Man. United
MATCH counts down the greatest footy stars of 2015,
then gives you the chance to have your say and
win an awesome Apple Watch Sport!

100
Dele Alli
Tottenham & England
Position: Midfielder + Age: 19
Alli was playing in League 1 in
May – but now he’s ripping up
the Prem with Spurs and netted
on his first start for England!
95
Nemanja Matic
Chelsea & Serbia
Position: Def. midfielder + Age: 27
This midfield boss bagged the
Prem title with Chelsea in May
after totally owning midfield
battles with his mega power!
91
Charlie Austin
QPR & England
Position: Striker + Age: 26
Austin’s 18 Prem goals couldn’t
keep QPR up last season, but
he’s still banging them in for
The R's in the Championship!
94
Christian Benteke
Liverpool & Belgium
Position: Striker + Age: 25
The big Belgian got a move to
Liverpool after his net-busters
kept Aston Villa up! His power
and heading are off the charts!
90
Cesar Azpilicueta
Chelsea & Spain
Position: Full-back + Age: 26
Cesar won the Prem title and
Capital One Cup with The Blues
in 2015, and is one of the best
full-backs in the league!
99
Cesc Fabregas
Chelsea & Spain
Position: Midfielder + Age: 28
Cesc has struggled this season,
but he rocked for Spain against
England and couldn’t stop
bagging assists in 2014-15!
97
Riyad Mahrez
Leicester & Algeria
Position: Winger + Age: 24
The awesome trickster helped
keep The Foxes up last season
before making a blistering start
to the 2015-16 campaign!
Romelu Lukaku
Everton & Belgium
Position: Striker + Age: 22
Lukaku has been on fire in
2015! Only Jamie Vardy had more
Prem goals than the Everton ace
after 14 games this season!
89
Felipe Anderson
Lazio & Brazil
Position: Winger + Age: 22
Man. United were linked with
Anderson in the summer, and
there’s a good reason for that
– he's rapid and busts net!
98
Theo Walcott
Arsenal & England
Position: Forward + Age: 26
Arsene Wenger’s finally stuck
Theo up front and he’s doing the
business! He scored the opening
goal in the FA Cup final in May!
96
Nathaniel Clyne
Liverpool & England
Position: Right-back + Age: 24
Clyne’s had a class 2015! The
full-back’s epic form bagged him
a huge move to Liverpool and
now he’s an England regular!
92
Andrea Pirlo
New York City & Italy
Position: Midfielder + Age: 36
Pirlo rocked as Juve reached the
CL final last season! He might
be in the MLS now, but he’s still
one of th ld’ best passers!
88
Morgan Schneiderlin
Man. United & France
Position: Def. midfielder + Age: 26
Schneiderlin is becoming one of
the best DMs on the planet! He
totally rocked for Southampton
and Man. United in 2015!
MATCH! 23
87
Paulo Dybala
Juventus & Argentina
Position: Striker + Age: 22
No-one got more Serie A assists
than Dybala last season! His
awesome form earned him
a massive move to Juventus!
85
Luca Toni
Verona & Italy
Position: Striker + Age: 38
How is Toni still busting nets at
the age of 38? The Italy legend
was the joint-top goalscorer in
Serie A last season – he’s a freak!
83
Hector Bellerin
Arsenal & Spain
Position: Right-back + Age: 20
2015 was Hector’s breakthrough
year! He’s absolutely rapid and
has a massive future now he’s
forced Debuchy out of the team!
81
David Luiz
PSG & Brazil
Position: Centre-back + Age: 28
Luiz has finally started to show
why he cost £50 million by
bagging an epic domestic treble
with French giants PSG in 2015!
24 MATCH!
86
79
Chris Smalling
Man. United & England
Position: Centre-back + Age: 26
Smalling is a solid, ball-playing
centre-back who’s now The Red
Devils’ first-choice defender!
He’s rocked for England, too!
84
Ashley Williams
Swansea & Wales
Position: Centre-back + Age: 31
Williams captained his country
to Euro 2016 qualification and
is Swansea’s main man at the
back – what t t l east!
82
Raphael Varane
Real Madrid & France
Position: Centre-back + Age: 22
Varane's only 22, but helping
a Euro mega club keep clean
sheets doesn’t faze him! He’s
first choice for France, too!
80
Juan Mata
Man. United & Spain
Position: Att. midfielder + Age: 27
Anthony Martial
Man. United & France Mata’s goals and assists were
Position: Forward + Age: 20 crucial in getting Man. United
Martial cost loads, but he’s been back into the Champo League
worth it! A run of red-hot form – he’s rocked Old Trafford with
for The Red Devils was followed some epic displays this year!
by his France debut. Legend!
78
Gianluigi Buffon
Juventus & Italy
Position: Goalkeeper + Age: 37
The Italy giant’s shot-stopping
skills took Juve all the way to
the CL final. Amazingly, he still
hasn’t won the famous trophy!
75
Koke
Atletico Madrid & Spain
Position: Att. midfielder + Age: 23
Koke’s been ace for Atletico in
2015! His pinpoint passing and
sick set-pieces helped him bag
ten league assists last season!
72
Aaron Ramsey
Arsenal & Wales
Position: Midfielder + Age: 24
Rambo bagged Wales a place at
Euro 2016, won the FA Cup and
bossed Arsenal’s midfield – he’s
been epic for club and country!
69
John Stones
Everton & England
Position: Centre-back + Age: 21
Chelsea were desperate to sign
Stones last summer! He's cool
on the ball, a class tackler and
has a monster footy brain!
77
Xabi Alonso
Bayern Munich & Spain
Position: Def. midfielder + Age: 34
Ancient star Xabi is still running
midfields and won the German
title with Bayern in 2014-15! His
passing is absolutely incredible!
74
Alvaro Morata
Juventus & Spain
Position: Striker + Age: 23
Morata scored in the CL semis
and final – and even though Juve
lost in Berlin, he still got a league
and cup double in 2014-15!
71
Miralem Pjanic
Roma & Bosnia
Position: Att. midfielder + Age: 25
2015 has been an epic year
for the playmaker! Pjanic is an
assist king and he's one of the
best free-kick takers around!
68
Thiago Alcantara
Bayern Munich & Spain
Position: Midfielder + Age: 24
Thiago’s played everywhere in
Bayern’s midfield! The versatile
Spain star owns games with his
passing and footy brain!
76
Jackson Martinez
Atletico Madrid & Colombia
Position: Striker + Age: 29
Martinez tore last season’s CL
apart as Porto made it to the
quarter-finals, and now he’s
leadi th li for Atletico!
73
Fernandinho
Man. City & Brazil
Position: Midfielder + Age: 30
Fernandinho has been one of the
Prem's best players this season!
He makes awesome box-to-box
runs and loves scoring worldies!
70
Luka Modric
Real Madrid & Croatia
Position: Midfielder + Age: 30
Modric’s vision and dribbling
skills always keep opponents
guessing! He’d be even higher
if he wasn’t injured so often!
67
Paco Alcacer
Valencia & Spain
Position: Striker + Age: 22
Alcacer has been busting nets
all year! He fired Valencia back
into the CL and was Spain’s top
scorer in Euro 2016 qualifying!
MATCH! 25
66
Hulk
Zenit & Brazil
Position: Forward + Age: 29
The Brazil beast won the
Russian title under Andre
Villas-Boas and has started
this season’s CL on fire!
63
Marco Reus
Borussia Dortmund & Germany
Position: Forward + Age: 26
Reus’ return from injury helped
kick-start Dortmund’s season in
January. He’s got bags of pace
and is an ice-cool finisher!
60
Laurent Koscielny
Arsenal & France
Position: Centre-back + Age: 30
Arsenal’s unsung hero has been
a star for club and country in
2015! He’s one of the first names
on The Gunners’ teamsheet!
57
Alexandre Lacazette
Lyon & France
Position: Striker + Age: 24
2015 was a great year for
Lacazette – he couldn't stop
scoring for Lyon thanks to his
ace finishing and blistering pace!
26 MATCH!
65
Mats Hummels
Borussia Dortmund & Germany
Position: Centre-back + Age: 26
Mats helped save Dortmund's
rubbish season in the first half
of 2015, and he’s been a rock
at the back so far this season!
62
Olivier Giroud
Arsenal & France
Position: Striker + Age: 29
Giroud’s getting the goals to
prove that Arsenal don’t need
another striker – he's bagged
20+ in 20 e Gunners!
59
Marcelo
Real Madrid & Brazil
Position: Left-back + Age: 27
Marcelo is one of the best LBs
in the world! He bombs forward
and has been a major threat
for Real Madrid all year long!
56
Diego Costa
Chelsea & Spain
Position: Striker + Age: 27
Costa hit the goals that fired
Chelsea to the title last season!
He’d be much higher if he hadn’t
gone so off the boil in 2015-16!
64
54
Diego Godin
Atletico Madrid & Uruguay
Position: Centre-back + Age: 29
Godin totally bosses Atletico’s
defence! He’s epic in the air,
tough in the tackle and pops
up with important goals too!
61
Edinson Cavani
PSG & Uruguay
Position: Striker + Age: 28
Cavani has been red-hot for
PSG in 2015, and that’s seen
him linked with some massive
Premier League clubs again!
58
Sergio Ramos
Real Madrid & Spain
Position: Centre-back + Age: 29
Ramos is a complete boss at the
back, and became Real’s skipper
in the summer after his massive
transfer saga with Man. United!
55
Raheem Sterling
Man. City & England
Position: Forward + Age: 21
Sterling cost City £49 million,
but it looks money well spent
as he’s been bagging goals and
assists for fun this season!
 Willian 53
Chelsea & Brazil
Position: Att. midfielder + Age: 27
Willian has been one of Chelsea’s
most consistent players in 2015!
He runs his socks off all game
and has become one of the best
free-kick takers in the world!
Douglas Costa
Bayern Munich & Brazil
Position: Winger + Age: 25
This skilful winger sealed a big
move to Bayern in the summer,
and he’s ripping up Germany
with his tricks and assists!
51
Dani Alves
Barcelona & Brazil
Position: Right-back + Age: 32
Alves is a monster down Barça’s
right wing! His surging runs
helped the Spanish giants win
a famous tre 014-15!
49
Joe Hart
Man. City & England
Position: Goalkeeper + Age: 28
Hart cemented his place as one
of Europe’s top keepers in 2015!
His highlights include saving a
Lionel Messi penalty in the CL!
47
Philipp Lahm
Bayern Munich & Germany
Position: Full-back/Mid. + Age: 32
After retiring from international
footy, Lahm bossed 2015! He can
play anyway and has one of the
biggest footy brains around!
52
John Terry
Chelsea & England
Position: Centre-back + Age: 35
JT isn’t getting any younger, but
he's still one of the best Prem
defenders! The Blues skipper
won a fourth lea ue title in May!
50
Carlos Tevez
Boca Juniors & Argentina
Position: Striker + Age: 31
Tevez made history by winning
both the Italian and Argentinian
doubles in 2015! He also played
in May’s Champo League final!
48
Giorgio Chiellini
Juventus & Italy
Position: Centre-back + Age: 31
Chiellini missed the CL final, but
was a big reason for Juve getting
there! The defensive rock won
Serie A and the Co a Italia, too!
46
Marco Verratti
PSG & Italy
Position: Midfielder + Age: 23
Verratti’s one of the cleverest
playmakers in the world and won
a treble in 2015! Barça have
been linked with him big-time!
MATCH! 27
45
Wayne Rooney
Man. United & England
Position: Forward + Age: 30
The United and England skipper
broke The Three Lions’ all-time
goals record and helped get The
Red Devils back into the CL!
44
37
Carlos Bacca
AC Milan & Colombia
Position: Striker + Age: 29
Red-hot form, lethal finishing
and a Europa League triumph
with Sevilla earned Bacca a
£21.3 million move to AC Milan!

43 42

Jordi Alba Nolito

Barcelona & Spain
Position: Left-back + Age: 26
Lightning-quick Alba won
the treble with Barça in 2015!
He bagged a place in La Liga's
Team Of The Season too!
Celta Vigo & Spain
Position: Winger + Age: 29
Nolito is now a Spain regular,
got tons of La Liga assists and
scored the opener in Celta’s
4-1 thrashing of Barcelona!

Vincent Kompany Jerome Boateng

Man. City & Belgium
Position: Centre-back + Age: 29
Kompany is class! He's helped
City keep clean sheets for fun
in 2015-16, and guid
to Euro 2016 qual
Bayern Munich & Germany
Position: Centre-back + Age: 27
Boateng won the Bundesliga
title in 2015, is Bayern’s best

39

Gonzalo Higuain
Napoli & Argentina
Position: Striker + Age: 27
Higuain is a goal king! The Napoli
striker bagged 18 league goals
last season and has already hit
double figures in 2015-16!
D m tri Payet
West Ham & France
Position: Att. midfielder + Age: 28
Payet created the most chances
in Europe's top five leagues last
season, and was on fire for The
Hammers before his injury!
Jamie Vardy
Leicester & England
Position: Striker + Age: 28
Vardy made his England debut
in June, then broke a Premier
League record by scoring in 11
back-to-back games. Could a
mega move be on the cards?

28 MATCH!
36
Santi Cazorla
Arsenal & Spain
Position: Midfielder + Age: 30
Spain wizard Santi runs games
from his deep-lying midfield role,
got tons of assists in 2015 and
bagged the FA Cup in May!
33
David Alaba
Bayern Munich & Austria
Position: Defender/Mid. + Age: 23
Alaba plays wherever Guardiola
needs him! The Austria ace fired
his country to Euro 2016 and
won the Bundesliga title, too!
30
James Rodriguez
Real Madrid & Colombia
Position: Att. midfielder + Age: 24
James grabbed 13 goals and 13
assists in La Liga last season! His
killer through balls and rocket
shots send Madrid fans wild!
27
Sergio Busquets
Barcelona & Spain
Position: Def. midfielder + Age: 27
Barça gaffer Luis Enrique says
Busquets is the best midfielder
in the world! The classy DM
reads the game like a legend!
35
Yaya Toure
Man. City & Ivory Coast
Position: Midfielder + Age: 32
Nobody can get close to Yaya
when he's in top form! His mix
of pace, power and lethal long
shots has totally owned 2015!
32
Toni Kroos
Real Madrid & Germany
Position: Midfielder + Age: 25
Kroos was Madrid’s missing link
before arriving at The Bernabeu
in 2014! Now he’s one of their
star men and runs the midfield!
29
Karim Benzema
Real Madrid & France
Position: Striker + Age: 27
Benzema netted 15 La Liga
goals last season, then hit six in
seven starts in 2015-16! We'd
love to see him in the Prem!
26
Javier Mascherano
Barcelona & Argentina
Position: CB/Def. mid. + Age: 31
Masch is a rock at the back
for Barça and an international
megastar for Argentina! He's one
of the toughest tacklers around!
34
Philippe Coutinho
Liverpool & Brazil
Position: Att. midfielder + Age: 23
Coutinho bossed 2015 and hit
some epic worldies! Barça have
been sniffing around him for
ages, and it’s easy to see why!
31
Gerard Pique
Barcelona & Spain
Position: Centre-back + Age: 28
Cutting up the net after winning
the CL final last season capped
an epic treble for Pique in 2015!
He’s been class this season, too!
28
Arjen Robben
Bayern Munich & Holland
Position: Winger + Age: 31
Robben scored a career best
17 league goals last season!
He was Bayern's joint-top scorer
and won the Bundesliga title!
25
Thibaut Courtois
Chelsea & Belgium
Position: Goalkeeper + Age: 23
Courtois ended Petr Cech's
legendary Chelsea career, won
the Premier League and helped
Belgium qualify for Euro 2016!
MATCH! 29
24
David de Gea
Man. United & Spain
Position: Goalkeeper + Age: 25
United’s 2014-15 Player Of The
Year didn’t let an on-off move to
Real Madrid wreck his form. Some
of his saves were jaw-dropping!
21
Thiago Silva
PSG & Brazil
Position: Centre-back + Age: 31
Silva’s a rock in PSG’s defence
and is probably the best CB in
the world right now! He’s a born
leader and a heading machine!
18
David Silva
Man. City & Spain
Position: Att. midfielder + Age: 29
Silva makes City’s midfield tick
and was one of the stand-out
stars at the start of 2015-16!
His vision and dribbling rule!
15
Eden Hazard
Chelsea & Belgium
Position: Winger + Age: 24
Hazard’s deadly dribbling and
finishing helped Chelsea win the
Prem title, and bagged him the
PFA Player Of The Year award!
30 MATCH!
23
Pierre-E. Aubameyang
Borussia Dortmund & Gabon
Position: Striker + Age: 26
PEA was Dortmund's top scorer
last season with 25 goals in all
comps, then bagged 25 goals in
his first 22 games in 2015-16!
20
Antoine Griezmann
Atletico Madrid & France
Position: Forward + Age: 24
Griezmann’s 22 league goals last
season bagged him a place in La
Liga’s Team Of The Season! We
think he'll be a hit at Euro 2016!
17
Andres Iniesta
Barcelona & Spain
Position: Midfielder + Age: 31
Iniesta won the treble last
season, and helped Barça destroy
Real Madrid 4-0 in 2015-16
with a goal and an assist!
14
Harry Kane
Tottenham & England
Position: Striker + Age: 22
Kane’s lethal shooting saw
him bust net on his England
debut and grab the No.10 shirt
at Spurs! What a 2015 he's had!
22
12
Mesut Ozil
Arsenal & Germany
Position: Att. midfielder + Age: 27
Ozil won the FA Cup last season,
then smashed the all-time Prem
record by assisting a goal seven
games in a row in 2015-16!
19
Gareth Bale
Real Madrid & Wales
Position: Forward + Age: 26
Gaz was crazily good in
Wales’ march towards Euro
2016 qualification – their first
major tournament since 1958!
16
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
PSG & Sweden
Position: Striker + Age: 34
Zlat won a domestic treble with
PSG, then fired Sweden to the
Euros by destroying Denmark
single-handedly in the play-offs!
13
Paul Pogba
Juventus & France
Position: Midfielder + Age: 22
Pogba's mind-blowing displays
in 2015 helped Juve reach
the CL final and prove he's the
hottest young talent in Europe!
 11

Arturo Vidal
Bayern Munich & Chile
Position: Midfielder + Age: 28
Vidal had an incredible run in
the CL with Juve, bagged Chile’s
first-ever Copa America then
joined Bayern for £28 million!

10

Thomas Muller
Bayern Munich & Germany
Position: Forward + Age: 26
The best brain in footy has
already gone past the 20-goal
mark this season! He ripped it
up for Germany in 2015, too!

Kevin de Bruyne
Man. City & Belgium
Position: Att. midfielder + Age: 24 Manuel Neuer
Bayern Munich & Germany
De Bruyne broke the Bundesliga Position: Goalkeeper + Age: 29
assist record in May, won the Neuer gets better every year!
German league’s Player Of The The world’s best keeper had
Year, then joined Man. City for another incredible season and
a club record £55 million. Wow! won the Bundesliga in May!

MATCH! 31
 8 7

Ivan Rakitic Robert Lewandowski

Barcelona & Croatia Bayern Munich & Poland
Position: Midfielder + Age: 27 Position: Striker + Age: 27
Barça's unsung hero has been Lewa has already bagged 20
the perfect replacement for Xavi! strikes for Bayern in 2015-16,
Scoring the opener in the CL and was the top scorer in Euro
final capped off an epic season! 2016 qualifying with 13 goals!

6 5

Alexis Sanchez Sergio Aguero

Arsenal & Chile Man. City & Argentina
Position: Winger + Age: 26 Position: Striker + Age: 27
Sanchez won the FA Cup to bag Kun had an epic 2015! He won
his first trophy in English footy, the Prem Golden Boot last season
then scored the winning penalty with 26 goals, and netted five
in Chile’s Copa America triumph! against Newcastle in October!

32 MATCH!
4 3
Luis Suarez
Barcelona & Uruguay
Position: Striker + Age: 28
Suarez was good for Liverpool,
but he’s playing on a different
planet for Barça! He destroyed
Real in El Clasico this season!
Neymar
Barcelona & Brazil
Position: Forward + Age: 23
Neymar’s finishing and tricks
make him one of footy’s coolest
stars! He stepped up big-time
when Messi was out injured!
Cristiano Ronaldo
Real Madrid & Portugal
Position: Forward + Age: 30
Ron started an epic year by
winning the Ballon d’Or award
in January, then became Los
Blancos’ all-time top scorer
in October. Awesome!
MATCH! 33
 1

Lionel Messi
Barcelona & Argentina
Position: Forward + Age: 28
Top spot has to go to Leo! Messi
got over 60 goals and assists
combined in 2015, and won an
incredible treble! His top 2015
moments include destroying
Bayern in the CL semi-finals and
scoring one of the best goals
ever in the Copa del Rey final!

TOP SKILLS
Dribbling 10
Finishing 10
Free-kicks 9
Speed 9
Vision 9

WIN AN APPLE WATCH!

Don't agree with us? Fill in your top 10 below for the
chance to win an Apple Watch Sport worth £299!
1. NAME:
2.
✂ Cut it out and send it in! ✂

3. AGE:
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5.
6.
7.
Send your top 10 and details to:
Top 100 Players Of 2015, 8. POSTCODE:
MATCH, Media House, Lynchwood,
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Closing date: January 31, 2016.

34 MATCH!
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 Which Everton
ace is trying out
a modelling career

UCIAIL
for The Toffees’
Xmas range?

CHRISTMAS SPE

GUESS
THE STARS!

Can you name these

1. Elf 2. Star 3. Santa Claus 4. Christmas Pudding
Christmas cartoon
footy stars?

MATCH! WINNER!
Who scored the
only goal when
Liverpool beat
Burnley 1-0 on
Boxing Day Which Eu
ro
last year? wear this giants
sho
kit in 201 cking
5-16?

SNOW

BALLS! 2. Mitre Delta

W 1. Nike Ordem 2 Pink
Hyperseam
3. Nike Ordem 3 4. Adidas Finale 15
were these ball used
in during 2015?
 Can you remember the Spain
XI that beat England 2-0?
1 Goalkeeper ★ Porto

ntre-back ★ Barcelona
MARC BARTRA
2. Def. midfielder ★ Barcelona

3. Centre-back ★ Barcelona

1 2 3 4 4. Striker ★ Chelsea

8 9 10 5. Striker ★ Valencia
5 6 7 6. Midfielder ★ Barcelona

7. Midfielder ★ Chelsea

8. Right-back ★ Villarreal

9. Midfielder ★ Bayern Munich

10. Left-back ★ Barcelona

New York
Craven Cottage Molineux City Ground
Stadium

1 2 3 4

A B C D

Which Man. United superstar looks like

he’s ready for a scrap on Boxing Day?
Nottingham
Fulham Rotherham Wolves
Forest

ANSWERS ARE
ON PAGE 60!
 ve teamed up with our mates
Lovell Soccer to give away
VE awesome pairs of firm
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These lightweight boots are The orchid colourway will make
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✂
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CUT OUT AND STICK ON YOUR WALL!
CUT OUT AND STICK ON YOUR WALL!
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CLUB: Live
rpool
COUNTRY:
Brazil
POSITION:
Att. midfie
AGE: 23 lder
BOOTS: Nik
e Mercuria
TOP MOME l
NT OF 201
Philippe ba 5!
gg
at Chelsea ed an ace double
in October
Jurgen Klo to give
pp
win as Red his first Prem
s gaffer. H
ero!
THE BEST FOOTBALL MAGAZINE!
 E GO!

Filling for
Coutinho!
It looks like Liverpool's
magic man needs a
trip to the dentist!

y
s I NEED
Suarez puds? TO GO ON
A DIET!

the goal
hanger!
IT'S
WHY I RIP
SO MANY
NETS!

Incredi-Bale
Epic fail! Hulk!
Did Jose Mourinho
forget to buy his
Secret Santa?

OH NO, JT
IS GONNA BE
SO ANGRY!
 PUT THAT
MUCK
What is Carlisle's ON MY
TOAST?
Bastien Hery
IT'LL thinking?
CATCH ON
SOON, JUST
WATCH!

Edinson
Gurn-vani!
he goa king
hates Marmite!

ayern s Smelly Sneijder!

Got Talent! No more Brussels
sprouts for
you, Wes!

I'VE
RIPPED MY
SHORTS!

DON'T
PRESS YOUR
BUZZER,
COWELL!

WHO
WANTS
SOME?

epic beats!

I LOVE
A BIT OF
 LAST-MINUTE
GIFT IDEAS! sorted ou t yo ur Christm as list ye t? Don’t
Haven’t
, chec k out thes e aw esom e last -m inute ideas!
worry

We love the cool lava design on 2

this Cristiano Ronaldo Nike cap!
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42 MATCH!
 K Q U L
N T C C E
U D X B
O Q N L
Can you find the 30 awesome goal machines in this massive grid?
V Z B T
A M Z E I R G S F R M E T Q K J O Z Y Z V U U C B
J L I H U Y V H I G U A I N J Y Y J
C V V X T Y T B Z K V Q A K L W D S A Z F A P X P B P E T E J P
I M X J W M D Y B A L A T I V B I E I E M I V T B R N B R Q G J
U Y B F A P I O T K N Y Y H F B K B X B N B N O O R E A Q X V U
Z N W R V R C V F R U D U K L R A D G K R O Q N N R U C G R H M
A V Z S Z H Y C D Y O R A G R N E Y M A R A A E D S A X M D A B
U K E I I N J X J O B A T S H U A Y I G W L H F D E U F N Y S V
A I Z Y K J G T B Q N V Z I J J K L C N D B K I N A J M W U Z Y
M C M K D H Z P G K L B W V G P Z G V O V A M T M E V C D U S P
T E C T T M D A T J W J F M O U K A N D J O S E S O X R H N A H
O R B A H Z W U S F V A J B J F
I R V B B A P D U E Y I S G U M
X R B L I C U P U X V L C J Y Q
H H J C C O Z G I T Z V W B W C
B H K I R E M X O E Q Y L N T D
F Z H I A T J P B R L U Q L Q M
Y K G U T T V Q M R A X A M A C
C S Q A C E B E Y I K E Q S N Z
C A N D C Z U K W G L N J U O X
H A V X G A Q Y I A L C R E Y A
G Y R K A C E X F C L K A R E O
P F D A F A Y A R C S A D Y P T
Z T G L I L S Z N Q S G U N W V
L F W I F R A H K J G U R J I F
Aduriz Gervinho Lacazette
U Z K N K Q A G Agirretxe Giroud Lewandowski A Q E E I K D S
K F E I K K E R Aguero Griezmann Lukaku H A R R Z P P G
A Q I C I Z J L Aubameyang Hernandez Moukandjo X F V O H I W X
Bacca Higuain Muller
K O K M N C C D Q R I Q O K V L
Batshuayi Ibrahimovic Neymar
U N S C A P Z R Ben Arfa Ighalo Reus F A N Z O L O J
K R W D V J R V Cavani Insigne Ronaldo R N
M X O K A W E F Dost Kalinic Suarez Z E
Dybala Kane Vardy
G C D N C L L C S B
Z N N B F A L L D T W U H Y W T I N T C C S X
M V A Q R D U L D D T W H R P W T T T I G H A
F J W Y V P M X B H F Z E D N A N R E H K L F
L M E M E K R W I L H N Y G S Q X U B H S A U
M G L S A M S M G Q G L P A Z U J V D H K K R
WHAT
T V K N R C A B E I I E D L N F M O Z V N P O ANIMAL
LOVES WET
O T E L U Q W B S G K U U D N T S W Q C M P J WEATHER?
A RAIN-DEER.
B O G M U C B N U F R D X W C T N F Y W D T M LOL!
P U I E L A I E Z A D W B X R E L H E Z N R B

ANSWER
PAGE 60!
✂
✂
✂ CUT OUT AND STICK ON YOUR WALL!
CUT OUT AND STICK ON YOUR WALL!
CUT OUT AND STICK ON YOUR WALL!
✂ CUT OUT AND STICK ON YOUR WALL! ✂

CLUB: Che
lsea
COUNTRY:
Belgium
POSITION:
Winger
AGE: 24
BOOTS: Nik
e Mercuria
TOP MOME l
NT OF 201
Eden score 5!
d the only
the game g o a l of
v Crystal P
May to clin alace in
ch Chelsea
Prem title ’s first
since 2010
. L e dge!
THE BEST FOOTBALL MAGAZINE!
 Check out the ace presents MATCH
would get the stars this Xmas!
NOW
TIME FOR
THE HOCUS
POCUS!

DON'T
YOU DARE
BENCH ME,
JOSE!

NEYMAR
BARCELONA
MAGIC SET
When the Samba star
hangs up his boots, he’s
defo got a career as a
magician lined up! His
tricks are mind-blowing!

HOW
DO I DO
THIS UP
AGAIN?
DIEGO COSTA
CHELSEA ARSENE
STRESS BALL WENGER
We’d get the Chelsea ARSENAL
striker a stress ball!
He needs to calm down VELCRO COAT
and stop getting so The Arsenal gaffer
angry all the time! is always struggling
to zip up his massive
coat, so he’d find
a Velcro jacket
much easier!
 I'M
SO RED-
HOT!

WHO'S
THE FAIREST
OF THEM
ALL?

JAMIE VARDY
LEICESTER
FIRE EXTINGUISHER
The Prem’s top scorer
is on fire right now, so
we’ve bought him an
extinguisher to put
out the flames!

CRISTIANO
RONALDO
HELP, REAL MADRID
I KEEP
MIS-FIRING, HAND MIRROR
MATCH!
Ron loves himself,
so now the Portugal
megastar can check
his hair all day long!

I CAN'T
EVEN CATCH
A COLD!

RADAMEL FALCAO
CHELSEA
NERF RAIDER GUN
The Prem flop defo needs
a Nerf Raider – he can use it to ARTUR BORUC
improve his shooting skills and
hit the target more often!
BOURNEMOUTH
FISHING NET
Is there a dodgier keeper
in the Prem than Boruc?
A fishing net shou
him catch somet

OH
NO, I'VE
INJURED MY
TOENAIL!
WHAT

DANIEL STURRIDGE
DO SANTA'S
LITTLE HELPERS
LEARN AT SCHOOL?
LIVERPOOL THE ELF-ABET!

FIRST AID KIT

Studger gets a first aid kit from
MATCH! The Reds hitman can use
all the bandages and plasters he
wants for his dodgy injuries!
MATCH’S

GUNNERS WICKED
12 GUNNING 11 WONDERKIDS
Arsenal’s toughest There are loads of awesome young guns
match this month BRING ripping up the Premier League right now!
s against Man. City IT ON, Watch out for Can, Barkley, Martial, Dier,
CITY!
on December 21. Stones, Bellerin, Alli, Sterling
Their players and nd Watmore over C
Check out the gaffer will be mega
pumped to try to
12 things you ire The Gunners
need to look out op on Xmas Day!

for during the

festive fixtures!

BRAZILIA DRIBBLER
10 BALLIN WE
ROCK!
9 DANCING
We love watching
Coutinho, Fernando, players who can
Fernandinho, Firmino, dance rings around
Kenedy, Lucas, Oscar, defenders, and the
Gabriel, Ramires, Willian Premier League’
– the Premier League got some of the
is overflowing with best! Zaha, Haza
Samba superstars! Sanchez, Monte
Mahrez, Bolasie
Mane, Dembele
and Perez all
own opponents
with their sick
dribbling skills!

MATAS ANS GERMANS

8 MAULING ARE SINKING 6 PLAYING
Man. United’s classy Swansea are
has been one of thei the Prem and
players this season, a of their first 1
reckon he’ll keep des in all comps! T
defenders in Decemb got Man. City
Man. United o
the Xmas per
too. Yikes!

Ozil’s an assist king, Wollscheid,

Mertesacker and Huth love a
crunching tackle, and Can and
Schweinsteiger boss midfields!

50 MATCH!
 FIVE GOLDE COOLE
5 WINS 4 SHIRT
There will be some top kits on
show over Christmas! Our fave WE
LOOK ACE,
include Crystal Palace, Tottenh MATCH!
and Arsenal’s home shirts, whi
Liverpool’s third strip is sick!
Liverpool could go
on an epic run over
the festive period
– all of their next
five Prem games
look winnable! Their
toughest opponents
will be Leicester
on Boxi

3
Three o
top France
go head-t
December
Man. Unit
Chelsea! C
Martial or
be the ma
at Old Tra
I’M HAVIN’
A RIGHT
PARTY!

JACK
WHO?
G
2
1
We can’t wait for the e
Boxing Day – two of th
in the Premier League
Stoke’s Jack Butland co
or will it be David de G

AND A GOAL
FROM JAMIE VARDY
Leicester have got some really tough games this
month, and their last one is definitely the hardest!
Can goal machine Jamie Vardy fire The Foxes to
a famous win over Man. City on December 29?

MATCH! 51
 "MY WEIR DE ST
XMAS PR ES EN
Top Prem st
T
ar
!s
"tell M ATCH their most bonker s Xmas gifts!

“THE MOST RANDOM

“MY AUNTIE GOT PRESENT I'VE EVER
ME ONE OF THOSE BEEN GIVEN WAS
BELLS YOU RING AT SOME BIG BLACK
RECEPTION, BECAUSE EARRINGS FROM MY
APPARENTLY I ALWAYS AUNTIE. I HAVEN’T
MAKE MY MUM RUN WORN EARRINGS
AROUND AFTER ME!” SINCE I WAS 18, SO
PATRICK BAMFORD THAT WAS RANDOM!”
Crystal Palace THEO WALCOTT
Arsenal

“PROBABLY SOCKS.
I TRIED TO APPRECIATE
“THE WEIRDEST THEM AND PRETEND
CHRISTMAS PRESENT I WAS VERY HAPPY, BUT
I’VE EVER RECEIVED IT HAPPENS EVERY
WAS A CAR TYRE YEAR! I DON’T KNOW
INFLATOR FROM MY WHICH FAMILY MEMBER
MOTHER-IN-LAW!” FEELS THAT I NEED
JAMES McCLEAN SOCKS – I’LL MAKE A
West Brom
NOTE OF IT THIS YEAR!”
RYAN BERTRAND
Southampton

“YOU KNOW THOSE “MY NAN GOT ME A

THINGS THAT YOU HAVE CIGAR HOLDER FROM
TO BUILD? IT’S LIKE A CORNWALL AND I’VE
PUZZLE, AND YOU HAVE NEVER SMOKED IN MY
TO WORK OUT HOW IT LIFE, SO THAT’S THE
ALL FITS TOGETHER WEIRDEST ONE! THEN
– I HAVE NO PATIENCE MY UNCLE GOT ME THIS
FOR THEM! THEY KNOW CHEAP TURKISH BRANDY,
I DON’T LIKE IT – WHY WHICH WAS DISGUSTING.
DO THEY GIVE IT TO ME?” IT TASTED LIKE PETROL!”
MIKEL ARTETA TROY DEENEY
Arsenal Watford
✂
✂
✂ CUT OUT AND STICK ON YOUR WALL!
CUT OUT AND STICK ON YOUR WALL!
CUT OUT AND STICK ON YOUR WALL!
✂ CUT OUT AND STICK ON YOUR WALL! ✂

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A Signed England
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CLO
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Jan. E:
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We’ve teamed up with

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England away shirt to
Eng The sign
is a mland awayed one MATCH reader!
e
and c n's largeshirt Tickets for England v
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authetificate o h March 29 are on sale at
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Inside Out DVD!

5
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Jan. E:
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To celebrate the release of Inside Out, Inside Out is available

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five MATCH readers will each win Blu-ray™, Blu-ray™,
a copy of the ace film on DVD! DVD and digital now!

HOW TO http://winit.matchmag.co.uk
ENTER! Competition winners must be aged 16 or under. For full T&Cs, turn to page 63.
 GET A
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THESE
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X-SHOT Bug Attack

Blasters! Five lucky MATCH readers will win an X-SHOT
Bug Attack Eliminator and Rapid Fire each!
These wicked blasters totally rock!

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PRIZES
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ENTER! Competition winners must be aged 16 or under. For full T&Cs, turn to page 63.
FIFA 16 & Stoke Tickets!

&" 410354 BSF PGGFSJOH POF SFBEFS B QBJS
PG

tickets to see Stoke play Aston Villa on Saturday,
February 27! The winner will bag a copy of
'*'"

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EA SPORTS is the Official Sports Technology Partner of the Barclays

Premier League. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index is the official
statistical index of all 20 Barclays Premier League teams. The EA SPORTS
NG
CLOSTI E:
Team Of The Week is available at www.premierleague.com/en-gb/players/
ea-sports-ppi-team-of-the-week after each round of matches. The team will
DA 8 be based on ratings from the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
Jan.

Chelsea Home Shirt

& Junior Membership!
3
P RIZES !
HOW DO
SNOWMEN
GET AROUND?
CLO THEY RIDE
S ICICLES!
DAT ING
Jan. E:
8 Three MATCH readers will win a Chelsea kids home shirt and
True Blue Junior Membership, thanks to our mates at Chelse
$PNQFUJUJPO PQFO UP VOEFST POMZ

Junior Membership at Chelsea is available for just £20. Visit chelseafc.com/membership for more info.

HOW TO http://winit.matchmag.co.uk
ENTER! FIFA 16 comp winner must be aged 16 or under. For full T&Cs, turn to page 63.
 Which Prem club’s mascot can’t get enough of Christmas?

U I
Q CIAL
CHRISTMAS SPE

1. 2.

Which Euro stars are rocking the Santa look?

Name the English clubs’ badges

1. 2.
that are covered in frost!

3. 4.

Which Spurs hero is dressed up ready to

3. 4. 5. 6.
dish out the presents on Xmas Day?

Which Prem goal machine is starring

in How The Grinch Stole Christmas?
 1
Y
players started the
match – two, three or four?

How much do you remember about Arsenal’s

5-2 win over Leicester back in September?

2 Who bagged a
wicked hat-trick
for The Gunners?

3 True or False? Leicester were

unbeaten before this clash!

4 Which team had the

most possession?

5 Who started up front for

Arsenal – Giroud, Walcott,
Welbeck or Campbell?

6 True or False? Arsenal ace

Mikel Arteta came on as a
first-half sub and got booked!

7 Which Gunners defender

got two assists?

8 Who scored the opening goal

at the King Power Stadium?

TURN OVER FOR

THE ANSWERS!
Footy Mis-Match P.18
See below.
Christmas Special 1 P.36-37
Job Swap: Leon Osman.
Guess The Stars:
1. Sergio Aguero; 2. Marouane Fellaini;
3. Santi Cazorla; 4. Robin van Persie.
MATCH! Winner: Raheem Sterling.
Crazy Kit: Porto.
Snow Balls: 1. FA Cup; 2. Football League;
3. Premier League; 4. Champions League.
Name The Team:
1. Iker Casillas; 2. Sergio Busquets;
3. Gerard Pique; 4. Diego Costa; 5. Paco
Christmas Special 2 P.58-59 One point for each correct answer!
Merry Mascot: West Brom. My Score /87
Beardy Weirdy:
1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic; 2. Arjen Robben;
3. Lionel Messi; 4. James Rodriguez.
Frosty Badges:
1. Man. United; 2. Derby; 3. Watford;
4. Man. City; 5. Birmingham; 6. Wolves.
Secret Santa: Harry Kane.
Footy At The Films: Jamie Vardy.
Action Replay:
1. Four – Drinkwater, Vardy, Albrighton
& Walcott; 2. Alexis Sanchez; 3. True;
4. Arsenal; 5. Theo Walcott; 6. True;
7. Nacho Monreal; 8. Jamie Vardy.
Z K Q U L V J

Alcacer; 6. Andres Iniesta; 7. Cesc Fabregas; Q

L
N
U
T
D
C
H
C
X
E
B
T
E E
I O Q N N L Z
8. Mario Gaspar; 9. Thiago; 10. Jordi Alba. V V Z B Q
N N A M Z E I R G S F R M E T Q K J O Z Y Z V U U C B R Y

Boxing Day Bruiser: Wayne Rooney. J

C
P
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B
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I M X J W D Y B A L A T I V B I E I E M I V T B R N B R Q G J

Stadium Game: 1-C; 2-A; 3-D; 4-B. U Y B F A P I O T K N Y Y H F B K B X B N B N O O R E A Q X V U

YOUR SCORE AS
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U K E I I N J X J B A T S H U A Y I G W F D E U F N Y S V
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XMAS PRESSIES!
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M A Q R D U L D D T W H R P W T T I G H A L O
F J W Y V P M X B H E D N A N R E H K L F L

Wordsearch P.46
L M E M R W I L H N Y G S Q X U B H S A U K

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M G L S S M G Q G L P A Z U J V D H K K R
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Smelly old socks!
B O G M U N U R D X W C T N F Y W D T
See right. P U I E L I A D W B X R E L H E Z N R
NEXT ISSUE!
RONALDO
VARDY

PASTORE MULLER

TOWNSEND EMBOLO

UR T E A M NEEDS
WHAT YO ZLATAN
& WHO THEY COULD SIGN!
& MORE!
GUNDOG AN

mega quiz
of 2015! More epic
MASSIVE 12-PAGE tips with
PULLOUT! MATCH!

REMEMBER, THE NEXT ISSUE IS

OUT ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29!
 3
Last season,
Leicester became
only the third
team to avoid
relegation after
being bottom
of the Prem on

Impress your mates wit

Christmas Day!

cts! Tottenham are unbeaten in

these Christmas footy fa their last ten Prem games on

Boxing Day, winning seven!

3
Man. United
are the only
team in English
footy to win 50 West Ham only
won three
league games Prem games af
ter Christmas
Day last season
on Boxing Day! . Ouch!

red
Aston Villa haven’t sco
go al in th eir las t four
a single
. Sh oc king!
Boxing Day fixtures

WHAT
DO YOU GET IF
YOU EAT XMAS
DECORATIONS?
TINSEL-ITIS!
Gareth Bale

6 was the last

player to score
a hat-trick on
in Defoe Boxing Day,
red more back in 2012!
goals on
Day than
y current
r. Ledge!
62 MATCH!
 THE BEST FOOTBALL MAGAZINE!
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